Abstract: A head for directing radiated energy from a source to a coordinate in a field of view defined by at least one of azimuth and elevation, comprises an angled element and a planar reflecting element. The angled element rotates about a first axis and redirects the beam, the redirection of the angled element differing in at least one of direction and extent as it is rotated. An axis normal to the surface extends at an angle to the second axis. The reflecting surface receives the redirected beam at a point thereon and reflects it in a direction within the FOV. A rotator may be positioned between the source and the angled element to support and independently rotate the angled element and the reflecting surface about the first and second axes without impeding the energy.

Abstract: A sensor for determining a profile of an object surface relative to a reference plane includes a radiation source, a collector, a processor, first and second reflectors and at least one reflective element comprising third and fourth reflectors secured in mutual angular relation. The radiation source projects a launch beam for impingement onto the object surface. The collector detects at least a portion of a return beam reflected by the object surface. The processor determines the profile of the object surface at a point of impingement of the launch beam onto the object surface from at least one characteristic of the at least a portion of the return beam.

Abstract: A head for directing radiated energy from a source to a coordinate in a field of view defined by at least one of azimuth and elevation, comprises an angled element and a planar reflecting element. The angled element rotates about a first axis and redirects the beam, the redirection of the angled element differing in at least one of direction and extent as it is rotated. An axis normal to the surface extends at an angle to the second axis. The reflecting surface receives the redirected beam at a point thereon and reflects it in a direction within the FOV. A rotator may be positioned between the source and the angled element to support and independently rotate the angled element and the reflecting surface about the first and second axes without impeding the energy.

Abstract: A LIDAR optical remote sensing system and method analyzes the falling edge profile of a return LIDAR signal that may be indicative of an object or an aerosol cloud, which is generally more diffuse. Using the falling edge profile permits burnthrough to an object that may be obscured by the aerosol cloud. The profile is compared against at least one threshold that may correspond, in various embodiments, to a negative slope of the falling edge, an integrated power under the falling edge, or a range estimate error for varying transmitted power values, varying transmitted pulse lengths and/or varying receiver detector field of view values.

Abstract: A sensor for determining a profile of an object surface relative to a reference plane includes a radiation source, a collector, a processor, first and second reflectors and at least one reflective element comprising third and fourth reflectors secured in mutual angular relation. The radiation source projects a launch beam for impingement onto the object surface. The collector detects at least a portion of a return beam reflected by the object surface. The processor determines the profile of the object surface at a point of impingement of the launch beam onto the object surface from at least one characteristic of the at least a portion of the return beam.

Abstract: A LIDAR optical remote sensing system and method analyzes the falling edge profile of a return LIDAR signal that may be indicative of an object or an aerosol cloud, which is generally more diffuse. Using the falling edge profile permits burnthrough to an object that may be obscured by the aerosol cloud. The profile is compared against at least one threshold that may correspond, in various embodiments, to a negative slope of the falling edge, an integrated power under the falling edge, or a range estimate error for varying transmitted power values, varying transmitted pulse lengths and/or varying receiver detector field of view values.

Abstract: A new architecture for implementing a time-resolved Raman spectrometer is 2-3 orders of magnitude faster than current systems. The system additionally is compact, environmentally rugged, low cost and can detect multiple components of a sample simultaneously. In one embodiment, the invention employs a rotating optical switch to time multiplex an input signal through multiple bandpass filters and into a single optical detector which is electrically activated only when the filtered input light pulse is about to impact it. The combination of time-multiplexing the input signal through multiple optical filters and time-sequencing the optical detector enables the device to detect and analyze 2-3 orders of magnitude faster than current designs, processing spectra within milliseconds instead of seconds.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the coordinates of a point on the surface of an object comprises a projection system for projecting a beam of energy onto the surface of the object, a receiving system for receiving reflected beam energy from the target surface, and a detector for detecting the received energy. The projection system comprises a beam expander for expanding the width of the beam, and a focussing device for focussing the projected beam. The position of the reflected beam energy at the detector provides a measure of the range of the point on the target surface using triangulation and the direction of the projected beam provides the x and y coordinates. The focussing device can be controlled to vary the focal length of the projected beam and to control the beam size at the target object to vary the area of the target surface illuminated by the beam and thereby to control the resolution of the measurements.

Abstract: An adhesive system for securing optical elements to a housing or substrate in an aligned position that is maintained over widely varying environmental conditions. A fiber optic device is constructed such that applied adhesive is not disposed between a fiber optic element and the housing of the fiber optic device, but is disposed on longitudinal seams defined by the portion of the element proximal a side of the housing or substrate. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a filler, such as amorphous silica. A method of making includes aligning, applying adhesive, and curing adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning an optical element of an optical actuator. The optical actuator moves a guide between a retracted and an extended position relative to an actuator body. The actuator body has a channel, or through-opening, in which the mirror guide moves. In one embodiment, the channel has a two flat surfaces that form a portion of a v-groove in the channel. In the extended position, the guide contacts a stop pin, or stopper, and the two flat surfaces in the through-opening, thereby holding the guide in a position defined by the line of contact between the stop pin and an angled surface of the guide and a pair of parallel contact lines where the guide contacts the two flat surfaces in the through-opening.

Abstract: An adhesive system for securing optical elements to a housing or substrate in an aligned position that is maintained over widely varying environmental conditions. A fiber optic device is constructed such that applied adhesive is not disposed between a fiber optic element and the housing of the fiber optic device, but is disposed on longitudinal seams defined by the portion of the element proximal a side of the housing or substrate. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a filler, such as amorphous silica. A method of making includes aligning, applying adhesive, and curing adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing a light path sequentially between multiple positions. A rotary switch rotates a light beam from a prism relative to a plurality of optical elements arranged radially on a switch body. In one embodiment, a prism rotates in the switch body, causing the light beam to sweep through the optical elements. In another embodiment, the switch body rotates about a prism transmitting the light beam. In various embodiments, the optical elements include a photodetector, a filter and a photodetector pair, a reflector, and a filter and a reflector.

Abstract: An optical monitoring system for determining the constituents of a sample or specimen. An absorption spectrum is obtained from a sample and is passed through one or more filters having a specified absorption spectrum defined by a single atom or a compound. If the filter's absorption spectrum is included in the sample's absorption spectrum, then the sample contains that atom or compound. The apparatus includes a switching assembly that sequentially places one or more filters into the light path to determine if the subject atom or compound is contained in the sample.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaner. The optical connector cleaner includes a nonlinear path along which an optical connector is moved. By following the nonlinear path, the optical connector is subjected to planetary motion without requiring the operator to twist the connector by hand. The use of planetary motion improves the efficiency and quality of the cleaning operation. In addition, the optical connector cleaner of the present invention provides improved resistance to damage from the ferrule edge during cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching optical signals. An optical bench includes a plurality of through-openings for receiving a plurality of collimators and a plurality of actuators. The actuators include a mirror for redirecting an optical signal from one collimator to another. The collimators and actuators are secured to the optical bench by an adhesive system that includes opposing longitudinal slots containing adhesive securing the collimators and actuators to the optical bench.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing a plurality of optical input signals to a plurality of optical output connections. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switches are combined to route a number of optical signals that exceed the number of optical inputs for a single switch. The switch array includes a plurality of input switches optically connected to a plurality of intermediate switches, which are optically connected to a plurality of output switches. In the embodiments in which the number of input switches exceed the number of optical outputs of a single input switch, the input switches, intermediate switches, and output switches are arranged in groups or sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning an optical element of an optical actuator. The optical actuator moves a guide between a retracted and an extended position relative to an actuator body. The actuator body has a channel, or through-opening, in which the mirror guide moves. In one embodiment, the channel has a two flat surfaces that form a portion of a v-groove in the channel. In the extended position, the guide contacts a stop pin, or stopper, and the two flat surfaces in the through-opening, thereby holding the guide in a position defined by the line of contact between the stop pin and an angled surface of the guide and a pair of parallel contact lines where the guide contacts the two flat surfaces in the through-opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for a termination oven for attaching optical connectors to fiber optic cables in the field. The termination oven includes an oven with a heater and a temperature sensor. A controller manages power applied to the heater. The termination oven includes a portable power supply and has provision for both an external ac power supply and an external dc power supply. A fiber optic cable has its fiber epoxied to a connector ferrule and the epoxy is cured in a curing oven.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing a plurality of optical input signals to a plurality of optical output connections. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switches are combined to route a number of optical signals that exceed the number of optical inputs for a single switch. The switch array includes a plurality of input switches optically connected to a plurality of intermediate switches, which are optically connected to a plurality of output switches. In the embodiments in which the number of input switches exceed the number of optical outputs of a single input switch, the input switches, intermediate switches, and output switches are arranged in groups or sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing a plurality of optical input signals to a plurality of optical output connections. In one embodiment, a switch includes an optical bench receiving and securing a plurality of input collimators and output collimators. The optical bench also receives and secures a plurality of actuators arranged in an array for reflecting and redirecting the optical signal from the input collimators to the output collimators.